Author(s): Gordon Tietjens

Rugby

Gordon Tietjens is arguably New Zealand's most successful sporting coach of the past 25 years. He has set the standard in Sevens coaching since taking over as national coach in 1994. Tietjens has coached the NZ Sevens team to numerous IRB World Sevens Series titles and, as well, his sides have won World Championships and four Commonwealth Games gold medals under his stewardship. His story is unique in the annals of New Zealand sporting achievement. He has an uncanny eye for spotting talent and every year he introduces new stars of the future to New Zealand rugby. Stars like Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen and Joe Rokocoko. But as quickly as he launches them on to the world stage, they are snapped up by other coaches for Super 14 and All Blacks duty. Tietjens talks about the great success his teams have enjoyed as well as the frustrations he has faced at losing players for important tournaments. As well, he will talk about his legendary training methods and hard-nosed approach to winning.